12/4/99

Hermione,

There are still so many memories I want to share with you. So many memories I want you to have and I'm still struggling with what order to send them to you. This time I decided to send some of the numerous times we shared during fifth year. That was the year that we became a couple, a secret couple, but a couple nonetheless. All but one of the memories are from school. They should appear to you in chronological order starting with the first day of classes and moving through the year. Some are pleasant memories and others not so much. Things were never perfect for us but that should be no surprise considering my family. Still we had some wonderful moments. I thought I'd start where the second set of memories left off, well nearly, that first meeting of fifth year. There are two vials and in between Harry has a memory of his own he will share with you, one that apparently relates to me though I'm not in it.

Always yours,

Draco

Harry and Hermione found themselves again in the Hogwarts library, this time outside the little alcove. They could see Draco's blond head behind the stacks to their right. When they moved to see him more clearly they saw that he was watching down the aisle waiting to see if young Hermione came to meet him as they had agreed to do. He paced a bit, cast a Tempus, and mumbled to himself something about time and not leaving dinner early. Not long after the frizzy haired girl came up the stairs and down the aisle looking over her shoulder as she went.

He stepped out to meet her, pulling aside the curtain of the alcove so that she could enter before him.

"You're here," he said.

"I said I would be," she replied.

"I know, but I wasn't sure."

"You came anyway," she pointed out.

He shrugged, "You may not have heard me, but I said I'd be here too."

They sat on either end of the couch, neither saying anything for a bit then both speaking at once.

"How was-"

"What did you-"

Both halted and smiled slightly, Draco sat back and gestured to her to speak first.

"How was your first day of classes?"

"Interesting," he answered, "History was boring as ever. Transfiguration should be good this year. Defense is bound to be boring as well and about useless too. What good is just bookwork and theory going to do? Father always says Minister Fudge is barmy and with this and his denial that Voldemort has returned I have to agree. I don't think that woman even knows anything about actual Defense. Have you had her yet?"

She grimaced, "Yes, and I agree it's going to be a waste of a class. We've actually learned things the last two years, even considering who was actually teaching us last year, we were getting somewhere. This year I don't know. We have three classes together tomorrow don't we?"

"Potions, Runes, and Arithmancy, yes. Potions we obviously will each sit with our own houses but we could sit closer in the other two couldn't we? There are fewer students in the classes. We don't have to actually sit next to each other though unless you want to."

"No, it's probably better that we don't at least not right away, or not until we see who else is still in the class."

He nodded in acceptance.

"What were you going to ask me?"

"I was just going to ask how your summer was, what you did? Did you and your family go anywhere on holiday?"

She sat back on the couch finally relaxing, "Most of my summer was good. We didn't go anywhere this year just stayed home and spent time together. The last few weeks I was with the Weasleys and Harry. By the way, I didn't mention it at the Prefect meeting on the train because Ron would have gotten defensive but the twins are going into the joke business. They have several prototypes they've been passing around. Just keep your eyes out and if someone gets randomly sick from eating candy and you can't stop it let me know somehow."

He laughed, "Those two could rule the world if they only put in the effort they do on pranks and things on schoolwork. Thank Merlin for the rest of us that they don't, keeps like much more interesting."

She shook her head, "You're going to encourage them too?"

"Not outwardly no, that wouldn't be acceptable, they are Gryffs after all. If I could find a way to invest in them however…"

"They don't need investors they have Harry."

"What does that mean?"

She explained about Ludo Bagman, the leprechaun gold, and Harry's Tri-Wizard winnings. He laughed at first then drifted into a solemn silence.

"I guess I shouldn't ask about your summer," she said.

"Not much to tell," he answered. "Father was in and out of the Manor frequently with others who support Voldemort though I did my best to avoid them and Mother helped. I spent most of my summer in the back garden commiserating with Theo whose father also jumped right back in wholeheartedly. Crabbe and Goyle were around when their fathers were but with them there's never much talking, especially as they both seem to be following in their dad's footsteps."

She didn't respond to that unsure of what to say, looking out the window instead, "It's getting late. Even Ron and Harry won't believe I'm studying this hard on our first full day back."

"So I'll see you tomorrow?"

"In class yes."

"And here?"

She sighed, "If we're going to keep meeting here we need to talk about how to keep from being discovered. It's safer for you I'm sure and I just don't want to deal with Harry or Ron, especially Ron."

"We already silence the curtain and stick it? What else do we need to do? How else could we be found?"

"We just can, please trust me on this. I can't explain how or why it's not up to me to share that information but we could be found so just see if you can come up with some way for us to be here but not be here ok, and no Polyjuice!" she said emphatically.

He raised an eyebrow at that, "I sense a story there but I'll just file that away for another time. I'll see what I can come up with but it's going to be hard to figure out how not to be found if I don't know how we would be found."

She stood up and moved to the curtain, "Just try."

"I will," he promised, "it's good to see you Hermione."

She bit her lip, "You too," she said then turned and walked away.

Seconds later the teens were sitting side by side, heads together, over a book on the narrow table in the alcove.

"Disillusionment-" Draco started.

"Won't work for this," young Hermione replied, "besides Harry said it feels like you're freezing the whole time, like you can't get warm and I hate being cold."

"Guess I don't get to ask how he knows that?"

"It was part of his leaving his relatives this summer."

"After the dementors?"

"Yeah."

"Ok enough said. So what else have you found?" he asked.

"Nothing really, though I wonder if we made the curtain look like the walls on either side of it, then it would look like we were here but we wouldn't be found. That doesn't solve everything but it is a start."

He sat back and looked at her, "Someday you will explain this to me right?"

"If I can, yes I will."

"Ok then so we need some sort of charm or maybe we just transfigure the curtain," he suggested.

"Transfigure, why didn't I think of that?"

"You would have, I just beat you to it this time. Here let's try it," he stood and directed his wand at the curtain. All four people in the alcove watched it turn to stone.

Young Hermione jumped to her feet, "That's wonderful!," she exclaimed and impulsively hugged the blond, then stepped back quickly, bumping into the sofa and falling back onto it.

Draco had frozen at the hug, eyes wide, jaw dropped, he cleared his throat and spoke, "It's nothing you couldn't have done. Maybe we should check it from outside too just to be sure."

She waved her hand, "Oh I don't think that's necessary let's just get back to studying." With that she slid to the left of the sofa and curled up with her feet to her right between her and his things.

He looked at her for a moment before settling on to his side of the couch and picking up a book.

A few more memories played of the two studying sometimes sitting on either end of the sofa, sometimes sitting bent over the same book or piece of parchment. They flashed by rather quickly until it all slowed again. This time the teen girl was bent over a book reading aloud as Draco made notes, as she continued reading he put down his quill and looked at her, just watching her.

It was only a few minutes later that she looked up from the book to see him looking at her.

"What?" She asked.

"What, what?"

"Why are you looking at me like that? Do I have ink on my face again? Is my hair standing on end? Did I skip lines in the book? What?"

He smiled, "Nothing like that I was just watching you as you read. I like listening to you read. Keep going."

She looked at him for a few seconds then turned back to the book only reading a few words before stopping, "It's just too if knowing you're watching me."

"Okay," he replied putting his head back on the arm of the couch and closing his eyes, "I won't look at you."

She shook her head, "I don't know."

"Hermione please keep reading," he said without opening his eyes or raising his head.

She sat a little longer watching him, when he didn't move she turned back to her book.

She had read two pages when she peeked at him from the corner of her eye, "I knew it!"

"Sorry," he said smiling and not sounding sorry at all.

"Malfoy!"

His face fell, "I thought we were on a first name basis now."

"We are, it's just an old habit," she defended herself, "Why do you keep looking at me Draco?"

He slid forward to sit closer to her one again and spoke quietly, "I like looking at you. I like you."

"I like you too," she said.

He shook his head slightly, "That's not-" here reached out and tucked a lock out her hair that had fallen out of her braid back behind her ear watching her closely.

When she didn't flinch or cringe away from him he leaned in and kissed her lightly on the cheek then gently on the lips pulling back when she stayed perfectly still.

"I'm sorry," he said sliding over on the sofa as far away from her as he could not looking at her so he didn't see that she had lifted hand to her mouth, then curled her fingers under her chin and smiled. When she glanced his way he was beginning to pack up his things. She reached out a hand and put it on his arm, he stilled. When his eyes met hers she slid over next to him and leaned closer. He met her partway. This kiss was still gentle but longer and deeper. He slid one hand up along her chin back behind her neck. She placed her arms around his.

Just as Harry coughed and started to stare at the floor the teens separated both breathing a bit heavier. Young Hermione slid back just a bit sliding her arms down Draco's until they were holding hands. They gazed into each other's eyes.

"That was unexpected," he said.

"I don't know what to say," she whispered.

He squeezed her hands, "I said I liked you, I didn't just mean as a friend Hermione. You deserve better than me. You deserve someone you can spend time with in public. You deserve someone who has always treated you well, someone whose family will accept you. I'm nowhere good enough for you and I have almost nothing to offer you but I care for you and if you're willing to give us a try I promise to do everything I can to keep you happy, to help you whenever you need, to protect you and even your friends if they need it. I promise I will never hurt you on purpose. I've been falling for you for a long time now if you need time to catch up I understand or if you simply can't do this I understand that as well. You should take some time to think."

With that he moved to continue packing up his things but she held his hands tighter.

"Draco, just give me one moment. You surprised me but it wasn't unwelcome. We're already friends and if I'm being honest with you as well as with myself. I've felt something other than that. We've kept our friendship a secret so a relationship wouldn't be any different. Except that it would probably be even more important for you so your father doesn't find out. I don't need time," she assured him.

"Please take it anyway," he pleaded, "just to be sure."

"Draco, I don't need it. I'd like to try us," she smiled at him.

He smiled hesitantly in return, "So will you read to me now or will that still be too strange? I could always read to you."

She laughed and gave him a small shove, "I'll read, this time."

She grabbed the book, opened it back to where she had left off, and curled up next to him with his arm across her shoulders.

"Well that was uncomfortable," Harry said as they landed back in the present.

"It was really sweet," Hermione protested.

"For you I'm sure, for me it was awkward. Remember how weird it was to see Ron and Lavender snogging, or Ginny and Dean?" he asked.

"Oh, I see your point. Okay so your memory now?"

He nodded as he traded out the silvery streams in the bowl, "It's just a short little one but it was something that struck me when Draco told me what he was sending and I'm curious now if you'll know it at all or if it will be one of the ones that's just gone."

"Time to find out," she replied and in they went.

Harry's memory landed them in the Gryffindor common room. Harry and Hermione we're sitting together on a couch near the fireplace; Ron was in the chair next to them. Hermione was studying intently, while the boys alternated between studying and playing.

"Have you been noticed that Malfoy is much quieter this year?" Harry asked.

"I hadn't mate," Ron replied. "Now that you mention it though, he hasn't said anything to any of us all year. not one comment about my being keeper even when I was sure he'd have something to say. I was sure he'd have the other Slytherins all wound up, but they've all been quieter. He wasn't even at tryouts was he? He would never miss a chance to degrade Gryffindor he must be up to something."

"I was thinking that too," Harry agreed. "Hermione, what about you?"

She looked at Harry, "Sorry I didn't catch that. What are you talking about?"

"We think Malfoy is up to something," Ron told her.

"You always think he's up to something. Why now?" The adults noticed that she had tensed up just a bit.

"He hasn't said a mean or nasty thing to any of the three of us all year," Harry said. "Unless he's said something to you in one of the classes we don't have with you."

"No," she thought for a moment before replying, "He hasn't said anything to me. Then again even if he had I probably wouldn't have noticed I've been studying a lot more this year."

The boys both laughed.

"I didn't think it was possible for you to study more," Ron said only half joking.

She glared at him, "You may not care, but I intend to get outstanding scores on all of my OWLS. I think I know what I want to do when we're done here but if I'd like to get perfect or near perfect scores in everything case I change my mind."

"Mione you're going to be able to do whatever you want," he reassured her.

"Well if you both want to have the option of doing what you want, especially if you want to get into the auror program, you'd better get back to studying," she scolded.

"Alright, alright," Harry responded and continued whispering emphatically, "Just keep one eye on Malfoy okay. If he's up to something we need to know it so we can stop him or let the Order know. We know Lucius is in deep with Voldemort, it wouldn't surprise me if Malfoy is too. I'm sure Voldemort would love to infiltrate Hogwarts again."

"You know I will," said Ron.

"Hermione?"

She um hmed noncommittally.

"Mione," Harry said louder, "you have classes with him we don't. Keep an eye on him okay."

She rolled her eyes, "I really don't think he's up to anything. He's probably just studying like I am. But whatever."

Harry looked at her strangely but finally nodded and went back to his studying as well.

When they were once again standing next to the small table Harry looked at her expectantly, just waiting.

"Well," he prompted.

"No," she sighed. "Nothing, That one isn't there at all. Guess it wasn't worth modifying because he wasn't actually in the memory, so it was probably easier to just eliminate it."

"That is honestly what I expected," Harry said, "but I guess I hoped for a different answer. Well we have several more memories from Draco. I suggest we sit for the rest as it's going to take a while and I don't know about you but bending over this thing is making my back and neck hurt."

"Maybe you should be doing yoga with me," she commented but nodded her assent he brought chairs to sit at the table in front of the pensieve. They sat and prepared to go back to the past once more.

They found themselves standing behind the Slytherin table in the Great Hall. The bushy haired girl sat alone over at the Gryffindor table. The only one anywhere near her was Neville. Directly in front of them sat Draco surrounded by several of his friends. While they watched a rather ordinary owl flew in and landed on the table in front of Hermione. She looked up from her plate surprised. She took the package that it had carried, gave it a quick pat on the head, and a nibble from her plate for a treat. As it flew away she untied the string and opened the lid of the box. Whatever was inside made her smile grandly; she ducked her head. Ever so slightly she glanced over at Draco, leaned her head gently to the side, and winked her right eye. She set her fork and knife on her plate along with her napkin then she retired the string on the box, looked again at Draco, and walked casually out of the room.

Draco looked at his table mates to see if they had noticed anything out of the ordinary when none of them reacted, he said, "I don't know what's taking you all so long but and I need to get some studying done," with that he slowly stood, leisurely slung his bag over his shoulder, and strolled from the hall. Once outside he continued walking slowly not wanting to seem in a rush. There was confusion on his face.

"Where are we going?" hissed Harry.

"Well he's obviously trying to follow her...me...whatever," she hissed back.

"How does he know where she's going?"

"I don't think he does," she commented pointing at the boy standing for a moment in the hallway as if he were looking at a could see that his eyes were drifting from side to side. Finally he nodded, turned to the right, and set off down a hallway. They came to the door of a deserted classroom, an unused classroom; he peeked inside and smiled before opening the door. All three walked in, the girl sat on the desk beside her sat the now open box and the older two could see that there was a cake inside.

"My birthday," Hermione whispered.

"Looks like it," Harry replied.

"I thought I might find you here," said Draco.

"I can't believe you sent me a birthday cake. How did you even know it was my birthday?"

"I'm just good that way," Draco teased.

She rolled her eyes, "Fine don't tell me. I don't have to share my cake."

"Okay okay," he said. "That's not fair. I overheard Potter and Weasley muttering about what to get you for your birthday and arguing about the date."

Again she rolled her eyes, "well they must have gotten it wrong because I haven't gotten anything from them yet."

"No, Potter had it right anyway. Maybe they're just waiting to surprise you with something."

"You really overheard Harry and Ron?" She raise one eyebrow in disbelief.

He nodded, "Of course I didn't actually believe what I heard until I saw you open that package this morning at breakfast. I assumed it was from your parents"

.
"Yes," she said. "You ordered this cake since this morning?"

He smiled in response.

Her head shook, "I always forget just how fast things can work in the Magical World."

"So are you going to share your cake with me? You really don't have to. Should I sing you happy birthday before you try it?"

She thought for a moment, "I'll share the cake but you definitely need to sing to me and there has to be a candle so I can blow it out and make a wish."

"He put his bag down on the floor, pulled out a candle, placed it in the center of the cake and used his wand to light it. Then he sang to her as she sat and smiled hands clasped in front of her mouth. When he finished. She leaned over, closed her eyes, and blew out the candle.

"So what did you wish for?" he asked with a wink.

She gave him a playful slap on the arm, "You know I can't tell you, or it won't come true."

"You don't have to."

"And I won't," she used her wand to split the cake into pieces, offered him one, then took one herself, and they sat quietly eating. As she finished her piece she tilted her head to the right and peered at him through half closed eyes.

"What?" He said.

"Oh nothing," she replied sliding off the desk and stepping over to him. "You just have a touch of icing right here." She leaned in and kissed him as the mists began to swirl yet again.

They found themselves in a hallway somewhere in the lower levels of the school between the potions classroom and Slytherin. Draco stood at a door and knocked.

"Come in," called a voice from within, a very familiar voice. When Harry and Hermione followed Draco in they saw Snape sitting at a desk in the corner of the room.

"This must be his quarters," she whispered to her companion.

"I guess," he replied, "it's not like I've ever seen them."

"You wanted to see me Sev," Draco said.

"Yes," Snape replied, "come in and sit down."

He gestured to a pair of chairs sitting near a low coffee table in front of a small fireplace and then moved to join the boy. Before saying anything else the older man offered the teen a cup of tea and a chocolate biscuit.

"What is this about?" Draco asked worriedly. "Has one of my grades dropped?"

"On the contrary," Snape replied, "they're higher than they've ever been. You are so close in scores to Miss Granger that it is nearly impossible to place either of you higher than the other, especially as you are in all of the same classes."

Draco smiled and relaxed a touch, "That's good to know. She's beaten me every year so far, maybe this year I can sneak past her."

Snape looked at the boy he had known for so long, took a sip of his tea, then continued, "It's interesting really. You and Miss Granger are the only two to find the more rare uses of knotgrass for potions. I expect it from her and she is exhausting when it comes to research and her need to know everything and show that she knows it."

Draco grimaced at that comment and quickly ate a bit of his biscuit to try and hide his reaction but not before his Head of House had seen it.

"And," the man spoke lazily, "while you have always been an excellent student you have never put in so much effort before."

The teen fought not to be disrespectful or snappish as he replied, "Is there a problem with my putting in more effort? I thought you would appreciate it."

"I do, I do," Severus reassured him, "I am simply curious what brought this about. Has your father said something to you that has inspired you to work harder?"

"No, nothing different than he usually says that is. You know I didn't see much of him this summer."

"Ah, yes, we all have expectations placed on us that we have to fulfill, some more willingly than others. So what is it that has brought about this change in you? Have you found a new study partner perchance?"

"I just want to do well on my OWLS this year. I need to do well and not just for my father but for myself. I've been lazy the past few years, spending time on things that were a waste of my time and talents."

"This doesn't mean you'll be quitting Quidditch I hope. You may have won your spot second year through your father's generosity, but you kept it through your own abilities. You are one of the best Seekers we've had in the house in many years."

Draco finished his tea and place the cup and saucer on the table, "No, I'm still playing. I'm determined to beat Potter and those Gryffindors."

Snape nodded, "You didn't answer my previous question. Have you found a new study partner?"

"Does that really matter? As long as I'm doing my best does it matter?" The words came out a bit tighter as he replied.

"Not as long as you are careful."

"Alright Severus, what are you hinting at?"

The potions professor put his cup and saucer on the table with Draco's and leaned forward, "While your work is excellent as ever, especially in my class, your attention seems to drift more and more to the other side of the room, and not to Potter."

The teen squirmed some in his chair, "I don't know what you're talking about," he insisted.

"The same attention is being paid to you, even more so over the past few days. I feel it necessary to warn you to be very careful Draco."

"About who I spend my time with? It's none of your business.'

"Quiet child! No, I am not admonishing you for your choices, merely saying be aware of who sees you, who is watching you. The Dark Lord has eyes everywhere. He is already unhappy with several of his followers for not seeking him out, not coming to him sooner, see that you don't give him reason to take out his anger on you or your family," Snape spoke very low as if he was afraid of being overheard in his own room.

"I won't stop seeing her!" Draco said with all the petulance of a three year old asked to share their favorite toy against their wishes.

The man sighed and sat back in his chair closing his eyes, "That is NOT what I said. I simply said be careful who sees you."

"Are we done?"

"Not yet. Once many years ago when I was in school here, there was a girl I liked a great deal. I made some foolish mistakes, and some foolhardy choices. I lost her and have regretted it every day since. Do not do the same. If you truly care for her, don't let go, don't give up! Unless it is for her own safety as it very well may come to be but be sure she knows that that is the reason."

Draco sat motionless for thirty seconds before replying, "You're encouraging me?"

"Yes, though that is between you and me, and I supposed the girl as you will no doubt tell her. I think Draco it is time for you to begin training in Occlumency and that is to be kept strictly between you and me, ne exceptions, is that understood."

"Yes sir."

"Then you may go for now. I will contact you when I work out a time for private lessons, give whomever you need whatever excuse you need so long as you don't tell the truth."

Draco stood and moved to the door, just before leaving he turned to look over his shoulder and said, "Thank you Severus."

A nod was the man's only reply.

The two adults trailed behind the boy as he walked out of the dungeons, up the stairs, and to the library alcove where young Hermione waited.

"So what did he say?" she asked.

"He knows."

Fear spread across her face, "About us? How? We've been so careful."

"Not careful enough I guess," he answered sitting down next to her and twining his fingers through hers. "We both mentioned the rare uses of knotgrass in our last potions essay, the ones we discovered in that old book you found."

"Why didn't we think of that?" she groaned.

"He's also noticed us watching each other in class when we thought no one was looking."

She blushed, "I didn't even realize I was doing it."

"I'm surprised Potter and Weasely haven't said anything to you about it," he remarked.

"Not likely," she said, "other than to ask if I noticed you doing anything suspicious. They're convinced you're up to something and if they ever catch you looking our direction I'm sure they think you're just plotting something against them or us."

"What makes them think I'm up to something?"

"For starters you've been really quiet this year. You haven't harrassed them once, or said anything nasty to them or to me. You didn't go to their Quidditch trials and annoy them then or later."

"I heard Weasley didn't have the best of try outs, but it doesn't sound as if he's awful, besides with Potter as their Seeker they almost don't need anyone else on the team. Games ending like last year's World Cup are unusual especially school games."

"Okay even I have to admit, that that statement from you is strange."

"It may be, it's the truth though. I don't know, with everything going on in our world right now, it's just not worth it. What's the point in bothering them, picking on them, harassing them?"

"I could ask you the same thing about the past several years," she said.

"True, I guess it just took a little perspective shift," he answered.

"You know it's a really sad statement that it took someone dying and Voldemort returning for you to have a perspective shift."

"I know, I know," he ducked his head, "I'm not proud of myself and I can make plenty of excuses about my family and how I was raised but it is what it is. It could have been worse. I could have not changed at all. I could still be seeing things as I always have."

"No, you're right. You really have changed and I'm glad. I think it's a good thing. It's a good that you saw what happened and you believed it and you changed. You said Theo doesn't feel the same way either, what about Pansy and Blaise?"

"Blaise is all about Blaise. He'll do whatever it will take for him to survive, to stay safe. That's what he'll do. I expect if it gets really bad. If it truly come to a way I don't think he'll take a side either way. I wouldn't be surprised if he and his mother leave the country actually. Unless of course she's picked up another new husband, one that is a Dark Lord supporter. Pansy on the other hand I don't know. I don't think she truly believes in what all that Pureblood stuff and supporting Voldemort, but I don't see her fighting against him either though because her family does support him, it's not easy to go against your parents beliefs."

"No, it's not. I'm sure you've had your own struggles with that this year. Have any of your housemates changed their mind the way they're thinking because of what happened to Cedric? I know Harry is not widely liked there and the Ministry has done there best to discredit him, but more of your housemates would know from their families that it's true, not that there aren't those in other houses that might."

"Oh I know that our house has more people that know the truth than any other, must be nice for some of those others to be able to live in ignorance. It does makes you stop and think," he said. "Theo was defintely effected by it. He's more sensitive than most of us and we've actually talked about it. I think with Blaise it did move him even more to the middle. Cedric dying might be the reason that Pansy isn't so outspoken about it. Seeing someone you know, even if not closely you know them, seeing their body and knowing how it happened, it shakes you up. Especially when it was just so unnecessary, Cedric was a Pureblood. Voldemort is supposed to favor us and yet he killed Cedric because he was there. I don't know Pansy is not like Crabbe or Goyle that fully support the cause but like Blaze she'll protect herself first. We Slytherins tend to be pragmatic."

"We've got off topic. That's my fault I'm sorry. We didn't need to have this conversation. You should never feel it necessary to defend your friends to me."

"That's okay. I can understand why you want know. What should we do about your two buddies thinking I'm up to something? I could always start to tease them you know just like old times. That should get them off the hunt for whatever mysterious thing they think I'm doing."

Hermione rolled her eyes, "At this point I don't think that would really change anything. Who knows it might make them more suspicious because it starts so suddenly after you being quiet for so long now."

"Do you want to tell Potter? Maybe if you tell him about us, he'll understand and stop worrying."

"Are you kidding?" Hermione guffawed, "that'll make it worse than ever. There's no way he'll believe I actually care for you, that we're friends. He'll think you've done something to me."

"You're right. It was just the only thing I could think of. Besides you'd probably happier if you could tell someone wouldn't you?"

"It would be nice to be able to talk to someone but no one I know would understand. It's okay we can always talk to each other."

"As long as you're sure. You could always invite Potter to one of our study session."

"No, he would never come alone. He'd bring Ron and even if he didn't I don't want him intruding on this time with you.

"Well if that is settled then I suppose we should get to work on those charms essays. This time though if we find some obscure facts, maybe we should split them up and not use the same ones. Let's keep the other professors in the dark."

"Good idea," she said. The two put their heads together and got back to work.

When time had again finished shifting, Harry and Hermione found themselves in corner of the library at the lone table amid the dusty books on the old shelves where they had first seen young Draco and Hermione studying together. The two sat at either end of the table with the center chair once more empty between them. They were alternating between studying and scribbling furiously on a piece of parchment. When the adults saw tht the parchment was being passed back and forth between the teens they moved to stand behind them read what was being written as not a word was being said.

Draco - Why are we studying here and like this instead of in our alcove.

Hermione - Just trying to avoid issues with Umbridge

What happened on the Hogsmeade trip it was right after that that we got this stupid educational decree from Umbridge about not having any groups or teams without approval?

What makes you think it had anything to do with the Hogsmeade trip?

Most of you Gryffindor's were nowhere in sight. Several students from other houses for missing too. Mine noticeably excluded, I happened to wander past the Hog's Head and peek in the window. There were a whole lot of Hogwarts students there including you. What was going on?

It was nothing. We just wanted to get away from all the busy places, have some peace and quiet to hang out together.

.
But why? You know I won't tell anyone hi missing from me.

There's a group of us that are really worried about what we're not learning we decided to get together if we could learn practical things together

and somehow Umbridge found out. You need to be more careful. You know people in this school can't keep their mouths shut.

We weren't doing anything against the rules and no one in that group has said a word, or I'd know.

I believe you. Someone else must have said something. Weren't there other people in the Hog's Head? Do you know who any of them were? You never know who could be a spy for the ministry.

There were only a few others. We sat away from them and none of them were paying us any attention. What are we going to do about continuing to meet to study? I don't know if she'll count two people as a study group and we need to avoid getting in trouble.

I hardly think two people count as a study group. If you're really worried, we could probably get Snape to write us a note of approval.

I think it's better if we don't get him involved. How do you think Umbridge is tracking students? Seeing where we all are?

I don't know how that would work. There may be some sort of location spell she could use, but if there is how do we hide from it.

If we were in a place that was umplottable would she be able to see us there? If the place can't be found, could we be found?

That might work. I don't know how to make something unplottable though do you?

No I don't. I'm sure we can find it somewhere here in the library. In the meantime, we can keep meeting like this as long as we keep this chair between us oh, and each keep looking at our own things and don't talk we should be okay. As soon as we figure out how to make something unplottable we can do that to that little alcove.

sounds like a plan but let's look fast I hate sitting here with you and not being able to talk to you. Wait how are we going to know if we succeed in making that spot unplottable?

We'll have to see if we can make a magical map of Hogwarts, one that can show us all the rooms.

Yeah, that sounds easy.

We can do it. I can research it if you'd like.

At this point Harry turned to Hermione, "This is why you wanted to borrow the map, you were trying to create your own version."

"I borrowed the map? I don't remember that. What did I tell you?" she asked.

"I'm pretty sure you mumbled something about checking on first years, seeing if you could make a map like it that showed all the staircases and things for them so they wouldn't get lost."

She shrugged, "Nope, don't remember doing that but you have to admit it's a good idea."

He shrugged, "I guess as long as you leave off all the people."

"No that would be a definite, it's too easy to become obsessed with following people then," she gave him a small playful shove.

Time had clearly passed as it had been previously very light in the library and now it was quite dark with light coming from sconces on the walls and magical ceilings. The two teens were sitting in their same places at the lone table in the corner. The only clues it was a new day and not simply later the same day were the stacks of books that had changed, Hermione's hair now bundled into a messy bun on the back of her head, and Draco's broom on the floor next to the table as if he had come straight from Quidditch practice. The space was still absolutely quiet other than the occasional rustle of the parchment as it passed between them.

Have you figured out how to make our little area unplottable? I'm getting tired of communicating this way.

I'm working on it. I have a few ideas, but nothing I'm certain yet. Have you found anything?

I've found one or two spells that might work. I'm thinking it might be a combination of spells or charms and not just one by itself.

That's what I was thinking too. We may have to try different combinations

We still won't know if it works. Unless you come up with a solution.

I found some books here in the library I've looked through them, but haven't had time to really study them. I think it will work one of two ways once we get a map made. First we try the spells or charms and if it works we'll see the room disappear from the map. The other option is to make a new map and compare it to the old and see if the room is on it. I think we can make a map of just the library so that should simplify the process.

The first option sounds much less time consuming I hope it works.

We may have to try both just to be on the safe side.

When do you want start trying?

Saturday afternoon would work. I should have the map done by then.

Potter and Weasley won't wonder where you are on a Saturday afternoon?

They have Quidditch practice for hours, they won't even know I havn't just been studying in the tower.

What time and where?

In our alcove. I think we can risk it. Umbridge should be busy enough watching out for the approved groups.

I'll be there.

Seconds later it was clearly Saturday as Harry and Hermione found themselves in the small alcove once more with young Draco and young Hermione. She took a roll of parchment out of her bag and laid it on the narrow table in front of them. They unrolled it and placed inkwells on each corner to hold it in place

"This is amazing!" Draco said aqs he looked over the map, "You have everything on here. Every bookshelf, every table, every corner, how did you do that?"

"I found this book, she pulled a thin volume out of her bag and handed it to him.

"Magical Map Making? Subtle title," Draco laughed, "how did you find this?"

"I just accioed it," she replied.

"Accio? I've never thought to use that here in the library. So simple, I guess I just never thought of it."

Some things are just habit, like combing the shelves for a book. Just so you know it doesn't work on every book. Some bookshelves are charmed not to responed as are some books, I think on purpose so no one gets hit by flying books."

"Good point," he said. "I'm still going to try it in the future before I get up and go wandering. So now what?"

"So now we try a couple of combinations. I couldn't find an actual spell to make a place unplottable which is really frustrating because we know it exists. Hogwarts itself is unplottable on Muggle maps, of course it's also muggle repelling."

"And the Room of Requirement on the Marauder's Map," Harry whispered to the woman at his side who nodded and held a finger to her lips.

"I made a list of all the possible charms and spells that I found," the girl said. "What did you come up with?"

The teens huddles over two small pieces of parchment comparing notes and muttering. One would point to a line, the other would nod or shake their head and then the process reversed.

Harry and Hermione only caught snatches of this conversation, "Disillusionment...evanesco...fidelius...obscuro...repello… something like homenun revelio."

This went on for several minutes. Finally they both nodded.

"So if we do this in tandem at exactly the same time," the fifteen year old Hermione said. "We should both still be able to find the room."

"I'm not sure we even need to do it at the same time, or even both need to be part of the casting. I think we just need to both to be here when it happens. When a location is made secret all it takes someone to be told about it by the Secret Keeper and they can see it."

"You're probably right, but just to be on the safe side we'll do it together," she insisted.

"Agreed."

They stood and took out their wands, both spoke at the same time quietly casting multiple spells and moving their wands in complicated movements. When their hands dropped to their sides their eyes dropped to the map and they dropped to the couch.

"It's gone," he said in amazement. "We did it!"

"Hold on let me make a new map, maybe being in here with us as we cast the spells effected it. Actually I should go outside to do it, just to be safe. While I'm out there I'll case a revealing spell and see if it detects you or the room."

She left the room, everyone inside stayed silent and listened, they couldn't hear her. When she came back in she was smiling broadly.

"It worked. Only we will know this is here, and for now only we have access to this space. Well house elves might their magic works differently but I don't think we have to worry about them. Umbridge is too superior to think of using what she would see as a lesser creature to do any work for her other than their normal chores. We're safe." she sighed.